Have you got a favourite paperback, yellowed with the years? The pages turned and the cover warped from taking it with you rain hail or shine?

Maybe you reach for a favourite romance at times of heartache or a inspirational biography that lifts the spirits...

But what do you take to chemo? What book do you take when you are waiting for your latest cancer results?

Author Brenda Walker asked herself this very question on the eve of her cancer treatment and the answers inspired her latest book Reading by Moonlight - how books saved a life.

You can listen to her story here, or you can subscribe to our podcast - search for "The Guestroom" or paste http://www.abc.net.au/local/podcasts/guestroom.xml into your podcasting software (eg ITunes or Juice).